(Reuters) - Wisconsin voters went to the polls on Tuesday for the first of a series of special elections prompted by the bitter partisan battle earlier this year over the collective bargaining rights of government workers.

But turnout, which was expected to be low, was off to a slow start in Shorewood, a suburb of Milwaukee and home to the Democratic Primary for the 8th Senate District.

"I don't know if it will pick up this afternoon or not," said Sherry Grant, Shorewood's Village Clerk. "We are looking at using less poll workers for the afternoon unless it picks up."

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But the votes have a strange twist. The Democrats running in the primary are opposed by six Republicans who are running as Democrats. And while confusing, under Wisconsin law it is legal. Republicans are posing as Democrats to force the Democrats to hold primary elections and give the incumbents Republicans more time to campaign and raise money. The final recall elections will be in August.

CALL OUT THE VOTE-- Wisconsin needs you! How it works:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1473928)